Official SFE Rules & Regulations
**READ THIS FIRST**
Welcome to SFE. We are a sim league, these rules are meant to keep SFE as realistic and similar to NFL games as possible. They are very easy rules to follow, and very easy to reference through our GroupMe group chat. If there are ever, EVER any questions about a rule, ask an admin. NEVER assume. It is your responsibility to review these rules prior to your first game and play within the rules.
There are four different GroupMe chats for the league: general chat, streaming chat, announcements chat, and trading chat. Do not chat in any chat other than the general chat. When you join, change your nickname in each group chat so your team name is first (not emojis, not nicknames), followed by your psn. This makes it easier for other members to find and contact you.
These rules are not a legally binding contract. This is a video game franchise mode. There may be errors within this document. The Admins reserve the right to adjust the wording and implementation of any and all rules at any time if it is determined by the Admins that members are attempting to find loopholes for exploitation.
Table of Contents
A. League Settings
B. Streaming & Scheduling Games
C. General Rules
D. Gameplay Specific Rules
E. Play Calling Rules
F. Stat Padding
G. Stat Limits
H. Lag & Disconnects
I. Free Agency
J. Position Switching
K. Trading
L. Trade Process
A. LEAGUE SETTINGS
*MUST have a Created Coach, clever names highly recommended.
*Advance Schedule - 48 Hr Regular Season (9 PM Eastern Time Zone); 24 Hr Playoffs (flexible at admin's discretion); Advances during offseason vary; Preseason will run on a 15/5/5/10 minute advance schedule immediately post draft.
Console League Settings:
*Quarter Length: 8 Minutes
*Accelerated Clock: 20 seconds
*Skill Level: All-Madden
*Game Style: Simulation
*Superstar Abilities: Off
*Relocation Settings: Off
*Pre-Order Staff Point Bonus: Off
*Staff Talent Cost Modifier: Normal
*Pre Existing Injury: Off
*Practice Squad Stealing: On starting week 3, off prior
*Progressive Fatigue: On
*Practice Injury: Off
*Prospect Storylines: On
*CPU Generated Draft Classes Only
*PlayCall Cooldown: 2
*PlayCall Limit: Off
*Minimum Roster Size: 46 (turned off at SB, turned on after draft)
*Player OVR Cut Restriction: 80 ovr max cut during regular season
*Breakout Scenarios: On
*Development Trait Regression: Off
*XP Sliders: Custom, courtesy of Hendo
*Gameplay Sliders – Default, adjusted as seen fit
*Ball Hawk/Heat Seeker/Switch Assist - Keep Individual
*PLEASE TURN OFF FILL ROSTER as soon as you join the league
B. SCHEDULING & STREAMING GAMES
*Communication in chat will not be considered for sims/forces.
*Only DM communication will be considered by admins during force win decisions.
*Upon advance, everybody will be tagged to schedule games.
*DM your opponent and offer availability within the first 24 hours of advance, as well as schedule a game time within the 48 hours period.
*Be as specific as Vague time offerings and infrequent responses will result in a force loss.
*Respect your opponent's personal time. We all have busy lives outside of the game.
*Avoid scheduling a game within the last 45 minutes of an advance.
*The last game of the week will be simmed, at the discretion of the admins.
*If opponent fails to respond within 24 hours, of advance notify an admin.
*If an opponent is more than 15 minutes late for a clearly scheduled game time without prior notification, you can receive a force win (FW)
*If a scheduled time is not CLEARLY set then the game will be a fair sim.
*No contact between users within the first 24 hours of an advance period will result to a sim.
*If a user misses 5 games in a row they will be placed on auto-pilot and reviewed by admins for possible dismissal from league
*If opponent is on Auto, or a CPU controlled team, you will get force win.
*DO NOT PLAY VS THE CPU
*ALL GAMES are to be streamed and archived.
*AWAY TEAM must stream and stream must be posted in the streaming chat. No excuses unless it’s a legit one, with prior approval by a admin.
*If you use YouTube to stream, your games will be removed if you have the game's music playing. If is your responsibility to ensure that your streams are archived.
*DM an admin if you have difficulties streaming
C. GENERAL RULES
*You are expected to use a broad mix of formations and plays.
*Base your playcalls and adjustments on personnel and game situations and not YouTube.
*You may not use Package Sub formations in game that put players in positions that are different than their actual position (ie: FS at LB)
*You may use base formations that put players at different spots on the field (i.e. Big Nickle putting a safety at slot CB) but may not manually do so on your own or through package subs or pre play individual substitutions.
*Never use any goal line formation on offense unless you’re within the goalline and 10 yd line on either half of the field (QB sneak & FB dive ONLY are excused when going for it on 4th & inches or 4th & 1).
*Practice Squad Stealing: If you sign a practice squad player from someone else's squad, they must remain on your ACTIVE roster for the rest of the season. Practice squad stealing begins at the start of week 3 to allow users time to become acclimated to their roster. In the event that negative cap space requires a user to make cuts, PS stolen players still MUST remain on the roster.
Chewing Clock:
*28+ point lead or opponent gives permission to activate
*In close games, you are not allowed to run the clock down unless its under 2 minutes in the 2nd quarter or under 3 minutes in the 4th quarter.
*Running the clock manually by sitting at the LOS and waiting on every play is not allowed.
*Admins are required to record videos for any and all player edits. There should be video evidence associated with every player edit.
*It is your responsibility to manage your team's salary cap. There will be no clearing of cap penalties for mismanaging your team's cap. Learn how to understand cap penalties and how they apply to future seasons.
*Changing drafted or Madden generated names is strictly prohibited.
*Hate speech in the chat will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the league.
*Cyberstalking will not be tolerated. Do not dig for someone's personal information without their consent (ie: digging for someone else's social media photos and posting in chat)
D. GAMEPLAY SPECIFIC RULES
*SFE is a sim style league. Please keep game play as realistic to life as possible. Run/Pass ratios should be within a reasonable range in most cases. This is not a black and white rule as game script can dictate playcalling, and will be monitored case by case.
*No Custom playbooks, we will be using team playbooks but not limited to the team you select. Be sure that both players are showing a valid playbook before game starts.
*Learn how to use the PS5's ability to record recent gameplay. This will serve as your evidence during any gameplay complaints and development scenarios.
*If there are any gameplay complaints or disputes, submit video evidence to an admin. Admins cannot take any action without video evidence.
*Record a PS5 video of any scenario that clearly indicates a development trait upgrade reward. If there is an issue with the game not registering your stats, the admins can review and manually upgrade the player. If your game is simmed (force losses excluded), you will be able to attempt the scenario in your next user game. You must notify an admin before you attempt this. The XP associated with successful scenarios will not be granted.
*All games MUST be streamed by the away team. Failing to stream, or deleting streams will result in admin review and possible suspension.
*TANKING is not permitted. Deliberately losing games will result in disciplinary action as seen fit by the admins.
E. PLAY CALLING RULES
OFFENSE
*NEVER run an offensive play over and over during a game. This is not MUT.
*DO NOT spam plays that are known 'money plays' where CPU AI is known to behave incorrectly or inconsistently.
*Instantly scrambling with the QB, otherwise known as "hike and haul" is prohibited. QB runs are allowed on options, designed QB runs, broken pocket/play, and when pressured by the defense.
*You should never have more rushing attempts with QBs than RBs total.
*If you motion any player you must let them come completely set before snapping.
*If you pick any play action play, you cannot hot route out of PA.
*Lateral at your own risk.
*If you are up big (28+ points), you should not be passing the ball. In this situation passing is only allowed in an attempt to gain a 1st on 3rd down. These particular pass attempts should not go far down the field.
*If less than 2 minutes and an opponent is not or cannot stop the clock, you MUST take a knee to expire the clock and end the game. This is authentic football. No need to pad additional stats. If your opponent begins calling timeouts in a situation where it really makes no difference, you are permitted to run the ball with a backup RB only.
DEFENSE
*Maintain at least 3 pass rushers at all time. There are 0 plays in Madden that only rush 2 or 1 player. QB spies do not count as rushers.
*If you are found using any type of 'lobby blitz' that consistently exploits blocking AI, you will be suspended. This is an egregious offense and you will be penalized accordingly as seen fit by the Admins.
*No more than one player manually moved pre-snap on defense. Pre snap global adjustments (shift line right, spread LB, crash outside, etc...) do not have an imposed limit.
*No hovering over the OL with an off ball player in an attempt to manipulate blocking AI.
*No having a HB or TE in the FB position; No having a safety in the SubLB or Slot CB position
SPECIAL TEAMS
*Never pull players downfield to block Pre-Snap on punt returns or returners on kickoff
*You are allowed one fake FG and one fake punt per season. These plays rarely work, so use at your own risk. If an opponent utilizes a Fake, notify an admin so that their usage can be noted.
MISC.
4th downs are allowed:
*Any time 4th and 2 or less past the 50 yard line (arrow pointing up)
*2nd Half Down by 3 possessions (17 Points or more)
*4Q anytime anywhere for losing team
*Winning teams within 2 possessions (14 or less points) can go for it only within 5 or less yards and no deeper then their own 40 yard line
*If you DM your opponent and you are given clear consent to do so.
No huddle:
*Only two hurry up plays per possession
*Unlimited within 2 minute warning of each half
*Unlimited down 3 possessions (17 points or more)
Onside kicks:
*Down by 3 possessions (17 points or more)
*4th Quarter Down by any amount
F. STAT PADDING
*Stat padding is unacceptable. Running up the score will not be allowed under any circumstances. If a user is winning definitively (admin discretion) then backups must be placed into the game to avoid unnecessary accumulation of stats. This is a very broad rule that mandates case by case attention. If you think you are getting too close to going overboard with stats, remove your player. Do not risk it, as penalties for stat padding are strong, and increase in severity for repeat offenders.
*'Garbage Time' scoring is not allowed except for situations that do not readily influence stats (kickoff/punt return TD, Safeties, defensive touchdowns are allowed)
*Penalties for stat padding will be determined on a case by case basis with the Admins taking many factors into consideration.
*If you are losing, do not call timeouts to extend the game and then complain about stat padding
Player Strike Stat Policy
1. You get 3 strikes towards the user… if a player goes over stat limits 3 times a player will be suspended ( 2 user games )
2. Strikes then reset on when suspension is over but here is the catch.
- you will now be subtracted a strike ( only having 2) and if you use both those strikes up the suspension goes up to 3 games.
- rinse, recycle, repeat.. I assume you get the pattern. And suspensions and strikes carry over to playoffs.
3. Strikes reset the next following season by 1 to the user: if you had 2 you now will have only 1 to start new season.
G. STAT LIMITS
These stat limits are not a black and white limit. You may still be penalized for improper gameplay beneath these limits, and there are situations where exceeding these limits is appropriate. Failure to play within these limitations is not automatically grounds for a suspension; game reviews will be conducted as needed. Players who exceed these stats with minimal ball distribution will be judged more harshly. Penalties will be much less severe (or avoided) if a user utilizes backup players and has varied ball distribution. Repeat offenders will receive more severe discipline.
*QB: 475 passing yards, 5 total touchdowns, 12 rush attempts
*RB: 30 total touches, 275 total yards, 4 total touchdowns
*WR/TE: 12 receptions, 225 total yards, 3 total touchdowns
H. LAG & DISCONNECTS
*If you are experiencing lag in your game, figure out what you want to do about it with your opponent early in the game, NOT when you go down 21-0. If needed, admins may request connection test results to figure out whose connection is lagging, if not both.
*If game disconnects both players take a screenshot as evidence of message.
*If game disconnects in 1q, game is a full reset
*If a team is up by 21 or more after halftime, the Admins will force win the game for the winning team.
*Injuries in disconnected games will be applied synthetically. A player injuried in a disconnected game that gets replayed, will have to sit out for either the duration of his injury, or 2 games - whichever is shorter.
*You have several choices for disconnects:
(1)Restart completely
(2)Restage to same point where disconnect occurred(score and timing)
(3)Disconnecting user concedes (FW for opponent)
*Rage quitting will NOT be tolerated. RAGE QUITTING WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC REMOVAL FROM THE SFE LEAGUE!
I. FREE AGENCY
*At the start of the initial season, a free agent "draft" will be held. Teams will take turns signing a single free agent in order of lowest team overall to highest.
*All free agents are on a first come, first serve basis unless otherwise specified.
*Free agency closes IMMEDIATELY after week 17 for all non-playoff teams.
*Eliminated teams are not permitted to make roster cuts while teams are continuing in the post-season (cutting players during playoff stages does not affect your cap for the following year; there is no benefit in doing so)
J. POSITION SWITCHING
The following position changes are allowed as noted:
*All OL are interchangeable (T, G, C)
*TE's with 79 speed or less to FB; no switching back
*Any DE (RE to LE & vice versa); DE to DT requires the player to weigh at least 300 lbs; a DE 285-299 lbs needs Admin approval to be moved to DT; DT to DE only by admin approval based on scheme of user and player archetype
*LOLB to ROLB & vice versa
*DE to OLB & vice versa based on scheme and player archetype. This switch always needs approval by an admin.
*MLB to OLB and vice versa can be moved as long as speed does not exceed 86. (Please try to make moves based on schemes)
-OLB to DE will be a weight min of 265 lbs. ( any weight lower would need admin approval to utilize in a 4-3 formation set )
-DE to OLB will not have a weight limit but speed limit again of 86. ( this move is usually done for those running 3-4 formation)
*FS to SS & vice versa
*For all other position change requests, contact a league admin as some position changes are reasonable based on scheme and circumstances.
*If you are found to have made an unapproved position change, you will be penalized as seen fit by the Admins.
*Position changing in order to exploit the XP system is not allowed and is punishable by player suspension or worse. The system is there for a reason. Do not exploit it!
*No changing QB or Kicker/Punter handedness
K. TRADING
*Trades limited to 3 total; Preseason + Regular Season + Playoffs + Offseason included. Trades reset back to 3 after the draft.
*You need 2 approvals from the trade committee to complete a trade. If you post a trade and it is approved, you MUST go through with it. If you do not have the cap space for a trade that you agreed to and had approved, you must make cap room. No exceptions.
*Free agents are not allowed to be traded in their 1st year of their contract.
*Picks must be specified for which team they belong if you have more than one pick in a certain round. If it is not specified, then it’s at the discretion of the team trading the pick away to determine which one is given.
*Only one 90+ player traded away from your team per season.
*Players cannot be traded twice in same season.
*If a user does not have/can not trade an entity that was a part of an approved trade, the offending user will have 3 trades removed from their seasonal total remaining. If the user runs out of trades for the current season, this penalty will carry over into trade quantity for the following season.
*Absolutely NO trading with CPU teams!
*New users need to have 1 full season completed with SFE prior to being able to trade away 90+ overall players, SSX-Factor players, or 1st round picks. Exceptions to this rule can exist with unanimous Admin agreement.
*3 way trades are not allowed.
L. TRADING PROCESS
*Trades MUST be posted into the appropriate trade group chat WITH THE FOLLOWING FORMAT to prevent confusion:
*Team X & Team Y have come to an agreement.
*Team X sends: A, B, C
*Team Y Sends: D, E, F
*Daddyleagues pictures (with contract information) must be included for all players being traded. If a player has SS abilities, or X Factor Zone abilities, images with these details must be provided as well.
*An on-console screenshot of trade is may be requested in order for trade approval.
*Both trading teams need to remain in compliance with the salary cap and minimum roster size.
*If a trade receives 2 non-approving votes, the trade starts from scratch. Either party may opt to cease negotiations once 2 non-approving votes are received. *Once trade is posted, you may not opt out until 2 non-approving votes are received.
*If it is determined that additional pieces (players or picks) would be needed to be added (or removed) for an approving vote, all trade parties must re-agree to the terms of the trade.
*DO NOT CHAT about other people's trades in the general chat
*Do not chat in the trading chat other than minimal messages that directly address a trade that you are involved in. Even then, minimize conversation (what do i need to add? why is this denied?) in trade chat to avoid clutter. If you have a serious issue or need clarification, do it in main chat or DM a member of the trade committee.
Trade Disputes:
All users are expected to negotiate respectfully and in good faith. Once a trade is posted in the trade chat, it is binding and must process if approved. If a trade dispute arises where your trading partner backed out of a trade after agreement and prior to posting in trade chat, immediately DM an admin a screenshot of your negotiations. There is a 12 hour limit to submit complaints. Admins will review negotiations.
*Trades will be considered agreed upon based on an affirmative DM message to a trade proposal.
*Do not agree or say "yes" to a trade proposal if you intend to negotiate further. This applies to proposing trades as well. Do not send a trade proposal if you are not ready to accept, without clear and prior communication otherwise.
If there is a dispute where a user does not possess an asset involved in an approved trade, admins will attempt to work with the non-offending user to find a suitable substitute.
INACTIVE USER POLICY
if you are caught not being active during the season, when it comes to off-season trading will be removed from you as that privilege will be lost. Also, If you made trades during the season then the amount of trades completed that season will be the amount you lose the next following season.
*Lastly, rookies (1st and 2nd rd talent) will still be suspended but for only 1st 3 user games. Rookies can be traded after the suspension.
All Rules and Policies are reviewed at the end of each season. If you would like to suggest a rule change or rule addition, please let one of the admins know. We will have an official Announcements GroupMe chat that is considered to be an addendum to this list of rules.